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Provo • That coach Kalani Sitake's BYU football team will be well-rested when it lines up against Cincinnati on Saturday at Nippert Stadium is a given, considering it will be 16 days since the Cougars last played.
They will also be hungry and motivated to finish the season strong after going 4-4 the first two months, Sitake and several players said Monday as they spoke publicly for the first time since the heartbreaking 28-27 loss at Boise State on Oct. 20.
The Cougars had a bye last weekend while Cincinnati also dropped to 4-4 with a 34-13 setback at Temple.
"We are competitors," said offensive lineman Tuni Kanuch as the seemingly annual questions about independent BYU's November position, and lack of a conference title for which to play, rolled in. "No one wants to lose, even if you've had upsets or been upset before. We want to win. We love BYU, we love the fans and we love each other. We've worked too hard all year to give up just because we lost a couple of games."
Sitake said the best part about the bye week is that it allowed players to get healed up and get their minds off football for a while. Most of the time together was spent conditioning or in the weight room, and focusing on Cincinnati's tendencies and style of play. Several coaches also hit the recruiting trail.
"It seems like a long time since we've played, but [the bye] came at the right time for us," Sitake said. "The timing works out perfectly for us, especially as we try to get our main running back [Jamaal Williams] healthy. It is going to be huge for him, and his development, and his progression towards being 100 percent."
Williams sprained an ankle before the Boise State game, then tweaked it in warmups and was held out.
"He should be good to go, yeah," Sitake said regarding Williams' status for Saturday.
Defensive star Butch Pau'u, who has played the last two games, but not at full strength, also used the time off to get healthier.
The linebacker "looked great today [in practice]," assistant coach Ed Lamb said. "He looks fast and ready."
Sitake made no major changes to the depth chart after some analysis, but injured linemen Tomasi Laulile and Ului Lapuaho still aren't back in the two-deep. Right tackle Thomas Shoaf (ankle) is listed as a starter again on the offensive line.
"There are some guys who are still day-to-day," Sitake said. "Jamaal will be fine, but for the most part, all the other guys, it will change if we feel like there is a lot of progress from now until Thursday. So, yeah, there are still some question marks out there."
The coach spent a considerable amount of time Monday explaining his decisions to call for a fake punt on fourth-and-19 from the 5-yard line against Boise State and to attempt a field goal on second down with 15 seconds remaining. The decisions were roundly criticized in the days that followed the game.
"I like taking risks, you know?" Sitake said. "It didn't cost us. It was one of those things where everybody will say, well, what could have happened? But yeah, imagine if it worked. I look forward to the next chance we can do it."
He said Boise State made some unexpected adjustments to its punt return team during the short week.
"The decisions we make are all things we calculate. Some of them don't look great, especially on fourth-and-19, but what if it worked? So, we look forward to another fourth-and-long and proving some people wrong — or not. We will see."
Regarding some suggestions that backup quarterback Tanner Mangum should see some playing time against Cincinnati, perhaps even start, Sitake said he is sticking with senior Taysom Hill.
"I have talked to Ty [Detmer] and we have talked about it as a staff from the beginning, what our plans are for our players and getting them ready," Sitake said. "Obviously we know that [Mangum] is going to be the guy for the future. The main key is to try and win the game. Taysom is our starting quarterback and Tanner will have his turn, and we will see what happens. But as far as game-planning, that is still in the works. That was always in the works in the beginning, from Week 1 to Week 8. This week is no different. So we are always looking for opportunities to get guys on the field, and quarterback is no different."
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU at Cincinnati
P Saturday, 1:30 p.m. MDT
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